THE GREAT LAGOON. 317 



the sea, viz., Mosquito creek, or Blazini's river, on the Naparima 

 side ; Godineau' s river, on the Oropuche side by far the most 

 important ; and, nearly in the centre, another one which has 

 hitherto received no designation, but to which I would give the 

 name of Mr. Devenish, the surveyor who carried the road across 

 the lagoon. Mr. Godineau was a French colonist who had formed 

 a settlement at Oropuche, immediately adjoining the lagoon. He 

 first opened a canal by which to transport his canes to the mill 

 in punts, and afterwards cut through a small neck of land, which 

 acted as an embankment, in order to procure a water communi- 

 cation to the sea, and a freer discharge of the contents of the 

 lagoon. This opening now forms the Godineau river, a powerful 

 stream of 120 feet in breadth, and capable of bearing the heaviest- 

 laden flat for a considerable distance into the interior. The en- 

 terprising Frenchman was unfortunately ruined in an undertaking 

 too arduous for his resources, but which, under favourable auspices, 

 might have terminated successfully, and which would undoubtedly 

 have proved of incalculable benefit to the surrounding districts, 

 not only as conducing to their salubrity, but in regard to facility 

 of transport and other advantages. 



In the year 1852, a corduroy-road was laid out across the 

 lagoon, closely parallel with the sea-shore. It is two miles long, 

 and cost the sum of 1,855 sterling. Two bridges have been 

 thrown over the Blazini and Godineau rivers, and many culverts 

 along the whole line ; and yet, notwithstanding the above con- 

 siderable outlay, and its evident accommodation as a thoroughfare, 

 it is now proposed by some would-be economists, to abandon a 

 road which establishes a land communication between the Napa- 

 rimas, Oropuche, La Brea, Guapo, and Cedros. 



The lagoon is frequented, at certain seasons, by an enormous 

 quantity of water-game, viz., by white and gray herons, crimson 

 spatulas, red flamingos, teals, ducks, water-fowls, &c. The man- 

 grove ramiers and flocks of parrots resort to the islets and the 

 mangroves as their place of roost ; and at such times the chatter- 

 ing of the latter is absolutely deafening. It is also inhabited by 

 alligators ; and large oysters are found in some of the channels, 

 or sticking to the roots of the mangrove trees. 



The Oropuche lagoon is an inexhaustable source of malaria, 

 which spreads over the neighbouring districts and renders them 

 very unhealthy, particularly that part of the ward of Oropuche 



